While he may be the newest member of New Jersey’s congressional delegation, Rep. Donald Payne, Jr. (D-10) is hardly a freshman. Payne got a head start when he was sworn in last November to succeed his late father, congressman Donald Payne, Sr.
Payne considers himself fortunate that he was able his start his congressional career with the 112th Congress because it allowed him to become a ranking member of one of the subcommittees. He was also present to vote on the so-called “fiscal cliff” deal and was prepared to vote on Hurricane Sandy relief aid shortly thereafter, until word came that the vote would be delayed.
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“We were very concerned that the leadership in the House had just decided not to take the issue up,” said Payne. “We were dealing with the fiscal cliff and we were there on Jan. 1 and got that resolved, and we thought the next day we would come in for the Sandy relief and got wind that the leadership just wasn’t going to take up the issue.”
Payne blamed the delay on “sheer politics,” saying “I hear that the Republican caucus was in disarray over that whole issue and we know the problems that Speaker [John] Boehner went through, whether he would be the leader going into the next Congress.”
In a past interview, Payne had not been prepared to publicly support same sex marriage. He has since made it clear that he supports gay marriage and says he absolutely agrees with President Obama’s position on the issue. In his inauguration speech, Obama made a point to include equal rights for same-sex couples as part of his second term agenda. Payne called Obama’s speech compelling, saying “[it] just really gives us an idea of where he wants the country to go and it is inspiring.”
As the former Newark council president, Payne described the chaos that ensued at Newark City Hall Nov. 20, after Mayor Cory Booker showed up to cast the deciding vote to fill a vacant council seat, a fight for power and control.
“I think [Cory Booker] wanted to do the right thing, but went about it wrong,” Payne said. “It was just a disgrace really what came about in that chamber. Some people said it was my fault for leaving.”
Asked about Booker’s announcement that he may be seeking Frank Lautenberg’s seat in the U.S. Senate, Payne says Booker’s actions may have breached political protocol since Lautenberg has yet to announce his decision about running for reelection.
“You know seniority, incumbency comes with a certain amount of respect that should be shown members that are sitting,” said Payne. “Sen. Lautenberg hasn’t made it clear definitively … on what he’s going to do. So we have to wait and see how the chips fall.”
Today, the FBI raided the office of a Florida doctor who donated to the campaign of U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.). Payne questions the timing of the investigation.
“I think it has to do with that conservative blogosphere and it’s interesting how these issues arise the week that he becomes the ranking member on the foreign affairs committee. So we’ll have to wait and see how this plays out.”